Congress Asks Google 10 Questions On Its Location Tracking Database.

U.S

Congress has sent an open letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai asking for more information about its Sensorvault database that’s reportedly being used by law enforcement agencies to solve crime cases.
Last week, we reported a story based upon NY Times findings that revealed how using a "geofence" warrant, authorities obtain location history of all devices from Google's Sensorvault database that pass through a crime scene over a certain time period.

For those unaware, Google maintains Sensorvault database over nearly the past decade which contains precise location information from hundreds of millions of smartphones around the world and shares it with authorities to help in criminal cases.
However, Google does not share identifiable information on all devices after receiving a warrant. Instead, authorities have to first narrow down their list of suspects using the location history data, only after which Google shares further information about a few selected users (suspects or witnesses).
Now top U.S. lawmakers from the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Google raising concerns about the database and seeks a briefing on how it is used and shared by the company.
"The potential ramifications for consumer privacy are far-reaching and concerning. We would like to know the purposes for which Google maintains the Sensorvault database and the extent to which Google shares precise location information from this database with third parties," the letter reads.

The letter contains 10 detailed questions, mentioned in-brief as below that the company has been asked to answer by May 7, 2019:
What information Google stores in the Sensorvault database, why and how does Google use it?
Which affiliate and subsidiaries of Alphabet company have access to this database?
Does Google maintain any other database on users’ location information, and if yes, how it is different from Sensorvault?
Who within Google can access the Sensorvault database and what are their job roles?
What are the sources from which Google collects information contained in Sensorvault database?
Can users opt-in or opt-out to allow or prevent Google from collecting information stored in the Sensorvault database?
What's Google's retention policy with respect to the information the company collects on its customers?
Does Google share, sell or disclose customers location information with any third-party other than law enforcement?
Besides this, the members of Congress—including Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, a Democrat from New Jersey, and ranking Republican Greg Walden—have also requested Sundar Pichai to issue a briefing on these topics by May 10.

Comments

UGANDA ELECTORAL COMMISSION TO ELIMINATE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS (IDs) FOR 2021 GENERAL ELECTIONS.

The elimination of using National IDs (Ndagamuntu) for the 2021 elections should not have come as a surprise. One would be very NAIVE to think that Bobi Wine has not prepared for this in his Business Plan under the RISK section. It is public knowledge that our EC is not independent. It is also public knowledge that Military Dictator Yoweri Museveni will never lose an election. What stunned us this morning is when we noticed that on social media, people were mocking Bobi with his "get your Ndagamuntu". We are on record for saying to all Our readers that the National ID is like Apartheid in South Africa. Students of History would know how those IDs were being used to arrest people, deny them jobs, deny them basic services. Consequently, Bobi was not wrong and will never be wrong on the Ndagamuntu. Except the ones attacking him and mocking him forget that in Uganda, now, no National ID (Ndagamuntu), no service. If you have not been denied registering your child i...

Here is Why Our Utterances For Praying Jesus And God To Come Liberate Ugandans, May Be Misplaced. This Phrase is like inform of a Letter To Some Categorized Section Of Ugandans.

https://m.facebook.com/yusufosuta/photos/a.1896701010557789/2070383359856219/?type=3 OPEN LETTER TO NRM SUPPORTERS - NATIONAL ROBBERS MOVEMENT. .................................................................................. Last week of March, a friend told me to pray for Uganda. I told him that he was an Idiot and we have prayed for too long and we are still hungry and sick and Jesus is not coming soon to liberate us. He then ignored the STUPID and sent me a picture we all now know. It got me totally messed up. This guy was telling me to pray then sends a picture of men bowing down in blood. He might have meant guns but I blocked him because his utterances of praying for Uganda were misplaced. I unblocked him 3 weeks later and asked him about praying and assassinations. His reply "eithrr prayers or guns or both". I hate violence with a passion. So he is now blocked in like FOREVER. Do you feel safe? Do not feel safe. Uganda regim...

The Full List of Permanent Secretaries Appointed by President Museveni.

By virtue of the Powers given to the President by Article 174 (2) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I hereby, appoint the following as Permanent Secretaries as indicated below: 1. Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet- Lucy Nakyobe 2. Deputy Head of Public Service And Secretary to Cabinet - Deborah Katuramu 3. State House Comptroller - Jane Barekye 4. Principal Private Secretary to the President- Dr. Kenneth Omona 5. Principal Private Secretary to H.E. the Vice President - Alex Kakooza 6. Office of the Prime Minister - Keith Muhakanizi 7. Office of the President - Yunus Kakande 8. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal - Industry and Fisheries David Kyomukama Kasura (Maj. Gen.) 9. Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs- Rosette Byengoma 10. Ministry of Education and Sports - Kate Lamaro 11. Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development - Batebe Irene 12. Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Vincent Bag...

Osuta Yusuf

Search This Blog